THE WATER-RAITi. 
223 
of a rough wall, near a siiiall spring, and where a thick row of 
willows affords them some concealment, even in winter. A 
few others are to be seen in the garden, where it is probalde 
they will soon become acquainted with cats and Merlins, 
which seem to be especially fond of preying upon such poor 
wanderers as seek shelter therein. How the two just mentioned 
manage to escape is a mystery, but I fancy they exercise even 
more than usual caution. Sometimes I have crept behind 
the wall and watched them through the crevices; but no 
matter how cautiously I approach, they can always hear me, 
and are never in sight when 1 take my first peep. After a 
while, however, one slowly glides from among the tangled 
herbage at the foot of the hedge which skirts the wall, stands 
to listen, and then, if satisfied, walks rapidly about the grass, 
nodding with every step, and constantly picking at something 
upon the ground ; occasionally it catches sight of some article 
of food several feet distant, and runs headlong to seize it. 
When I raise myself so as to see above the wall, although 
there is a pretty fair screen of twigs, I am instantly perceived, 
and the watchful bird stands for some seconds with its neck 
at full stretch and its tail elevafed ; then, as if convinced that 
the apparition is not to be trusted, it makes off for shelter 
with all speed. The bird which, from its smaller and more 
slender make, and more subdued colouring, appears to be the 
female, is much the more shy of the two, never coming out 
until some minutes after its companion. Once, when both 
were out, and within a fathom, of me, I tried the effect of 
suddenly rising to my feet. Instantly the astonished birds 
scampered off for shelter, and in an almost incredibly short 
space of time one darted through a chink on my side of the 
wall. It stopped abruptly on perceiving me, and then, instead 
of retreating, took wing, and with heavy flight dropped towards 
the mouth of a drain about forty yards distant, and in the 
twinkling of an eye was out of sight. 
November 30, 1864. — On the 7th of November, during a 
strong N.E. wind, a pair of Water- Eails visited that same angle 
